DARWIN, Australia (AP):

AUSTRALIA SURMOUNTED off-field distractions to crush Bangladesh by 180 runs in the first of three-match limited overs series.

The suspension of all-rounder Andrew Symonds before the match for a breach of team discipline had a worrying sense of déjà vu for the Australians, but they avoided a repeat of history to close out a convincing win.

After Shaun Marsh and Mike Hussey guided the hosts to 254-8 on the slow wicket at the Marrara ground, Bangladesh were routed for 74.

Solid foundation

Marsh made 75, setting a solid foundation for the Australian innings, and Hussey consolidated on that start before being out to the last ball of the innings.

In only his sixth limited overs international, 25-year-old Marsh through the last 30 overs, scored 85 runs from 87 balls with five fours and the only six of the Australian innings.

His was one of three wickets claimed in the final over of the innings by Shahadat Hossain, who finished with 3-42. Shahadat dismissed Cameron White, Mitchell Johnson and Hussey in the space of four balls.

Revenge

White had his revenge when he claimed three Bangladesh wickets, including Shahadat, for five runs in 1.4 overs as Australia dismissed the tourists in just 27.4 overs.

Tasmanian right-arm seamer Brett Geeves took 2-11 from five overs on his one-day international debut and Johnson took 2-10 from six overs.

Opener Tamim Iqbal (21), Raqibul Hasan (14) and Alok Kapali (12) were the only Bangladesh batsmen to reach double figures.

The second and third matches of the series are also in Darwin - in Australia's tropical north and, therefore, able to host matches during the country's winter and early spring - on September 3 and 6.